2012 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA Baseball Rules Editor Thank you for participating in this annual interpretation meeting. While the game of baseball is in great shape, we continue to work toward improving the game and hopefully putting young people in safe conditions and in situations that they are able to find success in some aspect of the game. Ultimately, our goal is for them to be safe, have fun and gain some valuable life lessons from participation. Areas in this PowerPoint that are underlined designate that the text was newly added to the rules this year. Bold notations mean the language is either a title, heading or penalty. Deletions and modifications are aptly identified as well. Where appropriate, notes and comments will be found under some of the PowerPoint slides. Not every rule change or editorial change warrants an explanation over and above the stated rationale. Thank you again for your attendance, participation and dedication to interscholastic athletics. Have a fantastic baseball season!

BBCOR Bat Standard Rule 1-3-2d Beginning January 1, 2012, the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard for non-wood bats is the only standard allowed. The BBCOR certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of one inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color. No post-production, BBCOR label, sticker or decal will be accepted on any non-wood bat.

BBCOR Bat Standards Rule 1-3-2d (continued) Bats that are marked with just the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) certification mark are not allowed. There are a few rare incidences that non-wood bats have been tested and have both BESR and BBCOR certification marks on the bat’s barrel. The bat would be compliant and permitted to be used. Rationale: Risk minimization and good sporting behavior.

Non-Wood Bats A bat that is not a single piece of wood is considered a non-wood bat and must meet BBCOR standards. We have adopted the NCAA's research, approved list and unapproved list of BBCOR bats. You can find that list on the following website: http://www.mme.wsu.edu/~ssl/certified/bbcor/certified.html.

Tampering with Bats Rules 1-3-4 and 7-4-1a Altering and tampering with bats is not only against the rules at every level of baseball but it is a Federal Crime. The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) and the NFHS are working collaboratively to raise the awareness of this practice via different electronic media messages. Coaches must be diligent in ensuring their players are using only compliant and unaltered equipment. Altering bats to gain an unfair advantage has been in the rule book since 1985 (7-4-1a). Besides being unsportsmanlike, it is illegal.

Bat Warmers are prohibited Rule 1-3-5 Any product or practice that controls or manipulates the temperature of a bat – regardless of heating it up or cooling it is not allowed. The affected bat becomes illegal for play. Rationale: Risk minimization and good sporting behavior.

Confronting Umpires after Games Rule 3-3-1g(7) Coaches should not confront game officials after the contest has concluded. Umpires should report any incidents to the local state association and they will take appropriate action against the school. Rationale: Risk minimization and good sporting behavior

Post Game Clerical Responsibilities Rule 10-1-2 "...leave the playing field at the conclusion of the game." The game officials retain clerical authority over the contest through the completion of any reports, including those imposing disqualification, that are responsive to actions occurring while the umpires had jurisdiction. “

Post Game Clerical Responsibilities Rule 10-1-2 (continued) “State associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents after the umpires' jurisdiction has ended or in the event that a game is terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play.” Rationale: Extension of jurisdiction for the purposes of reporting. This rule change is necessary in the event that the officials need additional time and flexibility to complete game reports regarding the contest that include disqualifications of players and coaches after their formal relinquishing of game authority per rulebook.

Rule 10-2-3 a. Inspect the condition of the field receive the batting order of both teams, announce special ground rules and formulate such if the two teams cannot agree, designate the official scorer (9-2-2) and see that each player takes his glove and other loose equipment to the bench at the end of his term in the field. Rationale: Clarifies the umpire-in-chief’s allowance from his pregame bat and helmet check.

Editorial Changes

Dead Ball and Delayed Dead Ball Table Awards or Penalties #2. “Batter is awarded first base except when he permits ball to touch him or when pitch is a strike. Rationale: Editorial.

Rule 8-4-1e e.  A third strike is caught by the catcher; or the third strike is not caught with first base occupied and there are less than two out (2-16-2); Rationale: Editorial.

Points of Emphasis

PACE OF GAME PLAY The committee is concerned that long delays in game action detract from what otherwise is an exciting and enjoyable game. There are several rules that need to be enforced more consistently. In particular, the batter’s box rule (the batter must generally keep one foot in the box during an at-bat), handling offensive and defensive charged conferences in a timely manner, and speeding the time between innings and during pitching changes by umpires diligently counting the number of warm-up pitches are areas the committee identified as areas in need of improvement.

Pace of Game Play The committee identified these areas in need of improvements that detract from what otherwise is an exciting and enjoyable game: The batter’s box rule (the batter must generally keep one foot in the box during an at-bat). Handling offensive and defensive charged conferences in a timely manner. Speeding up the time between innings and during pitching changes. Umpires diligently counting the number of warm-up pitches.

Altered Bats Altering bats by such methods as rolling, shaving the bat wall, flattening or otherwise manipulating the bat from its original manufactured condition is a federal offense. Not only is it illegal but it can cause injury or worse to a young person. The NFHS is committed to eliminating altered bats from interscholastic baseball.

Coach’s Responsibility The head coach is responsible for appropriate behavior modeling before, during and after a contest. As highlighted in this year's rule changes, the head coach is responsible for being a teacher, role model and mentor. The head coach is required to know and verify that each team member is properly uniformed and has equipment that meets the standards set by NFHS rules.

GOOD SPORTING BEHAVIOR Coaches and Umpires must work together. Each contest is another opportunity for coaches and umpires to teach not only baseball skills, but also model respectful behavior as well as professional relationships. The positive values that are learned will serve the players long after their baseball experience has concluded. Game situations typically provide a coach the opportunity to identify a teachable moment to reinforce good sporting behavior.

Good Sporting Behavior Coaches and Umpires must work together. Each contest is another opportunity for coaches and umpires to teach not only baseball skills, but also model respectful behavior as well as professional relationships. The positive values that are learned will serve the players long after their baseball experience has concluded. Game situations typically provide a coach the opportunity to identify a teachable moment to reinforce good sporting behavior.

Thank you for your time and commitment to high school baseball Thank you for your time and commitment to high school baseball. Have a great season!

This form must be completed and faxed to Robert Holloway/MHSAA at 601-924 1725.